Williams on Bears offense: "We're constantly getting better" |
CHICAGO—Chicago’s 21-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday had many implications. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had 363 passing yards and two touchdowns, but he had costly turnovers, and the coaches' communication with Williams was lacking.
That is why one of Williams’ top priorities is to improve communication before their next game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 29 (Noon / FOX). “First, it starts with being able to be a better communicator to the coaches, the players, and things like that. I guess I would say a little bit more things that I like a little bit more for certain situations, being a little bit more communicative and talking to those guys that are out there with us, what they’re seeing and things like that and then get to the sideline and being able to handle things properly on the sideline and understand that we have another drive,” Williams said. “In our off time throughout the week, making sure we communicate properly to make sure that we’re running things that work well with us, myself included in that, and things that we haven’t had too many reps on (the) routes or things like that … and making sure we’re running things that we’re all comfortable with, that are obviously good plays that work well against (the) other team. But, more importantly, things that we know and that we feel comfy running.” Particularly after the Colts game, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has come under fire for his play-calling. The run game has been one of the worst in the league. Some play calls have not made sense, especially the call on fourth and goal at the one-yard line, which resulted in a loss of 12 yards. Williams has the power to adjust plays at the line of scrimmage, so perhaps he will take advantage of that more throughout the season. “(Waldron) has to call the plays, and I have to go out there and execute. We have alerts and stuff like that that I can change and route concepts that I can change depending on whatever the case may be. But he does have to call them, and I also have to go out there and execute. So, I got to be able to go out there and make decisions in split seconds,” Williams said. “Hesitation and not being decisive, I think that leads into the first part about it is not being comfy and for certain plays or whatever the case may be or certain routes. I think that’s the biggest thing, so being able to communicate is important. I understand that, and I have to do it consistently.” One positive takeaway from that game is the connection between Williams and rookie receiver Rome Odunze. Odunze posted his first 100-yard game against Indianapolis and his first NFL touchdown. Fans will hope to see more of that chemistry throughout the season. Connections like those give the Bears positivity and hope for the rest of the season, and Williams has chosen to focus on that after his first three NFL games. “I think we’re constantly getting better. I think there’s a lot of new, as we all know - wide receivers and running backs and quarterback and few offensive linemen and all these different parts. Us constantly having the encouragement mindset, but also the positivity that we see on the actual film if you actually watch it and not get into all the emotions of the game. The positivity that we have and the (slow) growth that we’re having. Yes, we do need to get it going a little bit more efficiently than we are. But, the growth and positivity that we have within the film that we’ve seen and things like that over these past couple weeks,” Williams said. “We’re going to be better. We’re excited for this week to go against the LA Rams at our hometown. I know everybody’s going to be happy and rowdy to be there.”
